Decay

to pass gradually from a sound, prosperous, or perfect state, to one of imperfection, adversity, or dissolution; to waste away; to decline; to fail; to become weak, corrupt, or disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes decay; hopesdecay. Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and mendecay. (Goldsmith)